Seeing in the Dark: Getting the Facts on Depression & Finding Hope Again

by Gary Kinnaman and Richard Jacobs

Depression is blindingly painful--especially in the dark. The approachable style of this pastor and doctor team makes it safe to acknowledge suffering and receive medical and spiritual help.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764201999
• ISBN13: 9780764201998
• Release Date: August 2006
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
• Length: 190 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.6" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

The Best Book on Depression

Seeing in the Dark is the best book I have read on the subject of depression. It gives both a biblical/spiritual perspective as well as a medical perspective. It is easy to read and understand. I highly recommend this book to anyone dealing with depression or anyone who knows someone dealing with depression.

Covers ALL aspects of depression.

This book covers ALL aspects of depression -- physical, mental/psychological, and even spiritual. (How many books on depression covers the spiritual aspect of the human being?) In others words, this book aims to inform/help the human being as a complete WHOLE. Whether you are a Christian or not, I believe this book will help you. Reading this book, including following the suggestions in the book, made me feel better! I haven't felt this great in years! To the authors -- THANK YOU! GOD BLESS! To the readers deciding if they will purchase this book or not -- take a chance! You won't regret it!

An index for quick reference and a self-test to gauge one's own mindset

Written by Word of Grace Church senior pastor Gary Kinnaman and Richard Jacobs MD, Seeing in the Dark: Getting the Facts on Depression & Finding Hope Again is a guide especially for Christians who suffer from depression, or who yearn to help a loved one so afflicted. Chapters cover how to recognize the serious medical condition of true depression, Biblical insights into depression, information about brain chemistry and depression, how to adopt a grace-filled lifestyle of letting go, how to recognize patterns of thinking that exacerbate depression and put a stop to them, communal strategies for combating depression that is too overwhelming to face alone, and much more. Case studies illustrate the harm depression can bring to God's faithful, and means by which one can cope while keeping warm with the flame of faith. An index for quick reference and a self-test to gauge one's own mindset round out this vital guide to rising above neurochemical and emotional misery.

The message is needed!

Seeing in the Dark is an eye-opening glimpse into the world of clinical depression. Authored by a pastor with depression and a medical doctor whose wife suffers from depression, along with a foreword by Dr. John Trent, it is quite possibly the definitive Christian book about depression. The first and most important point made in the book is this: Depression is not an emotional problem--it is an illness. Right away the authors attack one of the most common myths about depression, and they systematically debunk it and twenty-four other myths, using both medical fact and the Bible. The authors demystify stigmas and common misbeliefs about antidepressant medications/SRIs. They assert that misinformation and lack of knowledge within the Christian community contribute to the stigma associated with depression and other mental illnesses. This book is readable and easy to understand without a medical or theological degree. The authors mix medical fact, Biblical knowledge, and true-life stories in a pleasing way. The ten chapters and several appendixes include a list of common myths about depression, information about anti-depression medications, a self-rating depression test, lists of resources, endnotes, and a scripture index. I believe this book will give hope to Christians suffering from this illness, as well as educate their loved ones in understanding this complex illness just a bit more. I do not live with depression, but I have friends and family who do. It is appalling to me how many in the Christian community have glossed over or completely ignored this illness or worse yet, scoffed at or joked about it. I will definitely recommend this book to everyone I can. Armchair Interviews says: This message is long overdue and sorely needed.

Very thorough, yet easy to understand...

By far the best resource book on depression I've read to date, Seeing in the Dark is the ultimate tool for treating the depressed Christian, which according to the authors - one a pastor and the other a doctor - is NOT an oxymoron. I loved the message in this book, plus it's very reader friendly. By that I mean you don't have to have a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology to understand it (though in my case, I have that degree.) Too many times I've heard people trying to explain depression away, and like Job's friends, the help offered only makes the person feel worse because it's often NOT helpful. At any rate, Seeing in the Dark touches on the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of depression in a powerful and honest way. Both authors have first-hand experience with depression. One has the diagnosis and the other is married to a woman who has the diagnosis. They skillfully address myths about depression as well as revealing ways to treat the illness, and how to identify whether or not you have it. Clinical depression is also distinguished from normal depression via grief, sadness, loss, etc. The differences are made very clear in this book. It's also small and concise so as not to overwhelm the reader with the facts. Personal examples are disbursed throughout to hold the reader's attention. I highly recommend Seeing in the Dark for people who want a better understanding of this pervasive and non-discriminating illness that rains on the just as well as the unjust. I normally dislike non-fiction but found this book very encouraging.